Williams Sisters Rule, Trades Are Cool

Joseph and Belfour change teamsWith July 1st having come and gone, so too have many free agent players. The biggest story has to be Detroit's signing of Curtis Joseph and Toronto's signing of Ed Belfour. While most of the media believes that Detroit got the best goaltender available, I have to disagree. What has Curtis Joseph ever done in the world of hockey? Eddy Belfour has two Vezina trophies, a Calder trophy and three Stanley Cup Finals appearances, including one championship. Despite the fact that Belfour is 37 (two years older than Joseph), he is a fiery competitor with something to prove.

What will this signing do to these teams? Leafs captain Mats Sundin wanted Joseph back, while Wings captain Steve Yzerman favored the signing of Belfour. My prediction? I believe that both of these teams will underachieve next season, with the Maple Leafs barely making the playoffs. But, Ed Belfour will be the backbone of that Toronto team, without question.

Final World Cup thoughtsI must congratulate the Brazilians on a well-played final match against the Germans. Is there another country in the world that can match up offensively with this soccer powerhouse?... With such a great tournament leading up to the final match against Brazil, it's a shame that German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn couldn't hold on to the ball better in the final... South Korea making it to the semi-final? I still can't believe it... How many years do you think the Italian fans will hold a grudge against that Ecuadorian referee?... Why is it that no one has given Turkey their due for finishing third in the World Cup? Could it be that they didn't play anyone significant from the round of 16 on?... With all the upsets, it is hard to pick the team that underachieved the most. Wait, I know. Could it be the country that didn't score one goal in the tournament? Vive la France...

Lawrence Phillips back in the NFL for 2003?Remember Lawrence Phillips? He was the problem child pick of the St. Louis Rams in the mid-'90s. He then went on to play in the World League and then for the 49ers. He could be the best player not playing in the NFL right now. His problem has been discipline. With a criminal record and a problem with authority figures, Phillips faces an uphill battle in getting back to the NFL. His route back to the best football league in the world has taken him through Canada, where he is currently playing in the CFL.

As the starting runningback for a team called the Montreal Alouettes, Lawrence has looked impressive. Never mind that he walked out on the team in training camp — Phillips has looked good. His combination of power and speed has proved deadly for Montreal. It is obvious that his skills are still there, but will he keep it together mentally to make another run at the NFL?

NBA draft and tradesThe Houston Rockets picked Yao Ming with the number one overall pick in the NBA draft. While no one is surprised that the Rockets took Ming first, no one really knows how many minutes he will play next season. Will he be relegated to the bench like Wang in Dallas? Will he become another Shawn Bradley? All we know is that Yao is 7'5" and that he can shoot the ball. But, can he play inside with guys such as Shaq and Mutombo?

While Yao Ming may be a good player, the adjustment period to playing in the NBA is a lengthy one. Never before has he faced competition that can punish him as there is in the NBA. With Steve Francis and Cutino Mobley passing him the ball, Ming has a decent shot at succeeding.

The Knicks were able to acquire Antonio McDyess to bolster their lineup. Will it help them contend for a title? Absolutely not. The only good thing about the trade is that Marcus Camby will sit on someone else's injury list. Sleeper pick of the draft? Dan Dickau. In a swap of draft picks with the Sacramento Kings, the Atlanta Hawks were able to pick up the quick point guard; look for Dickau to come out firing next season.

The primetime 7 worst baseball teams to watch this season

7-The New York Mets: With their payroll, this could be one of the most underachieving teams in the last ten years. 6-Cleveland Indians: After losing Colon, it will be painful to watch this team go through the motions the rest of the season. 5-Milwaukee Brewers: This city is the armpit of baseball. Not since Paul Molitor has this team been relevant. 4-Kansas City Royals: This hopeless team is merely biding its time until contraction. They haven't contended since the '80s. 3-Detroit Tigers: Any team that fires its coach a few games into the season has a long year in store for them. 2-Texas Rangers: A-Rod and Palmeiro aside, this team sucks. 1-Tampa Bay: This is the single worst franchise in the history of baseball. I can't believe anyone would watch this team willingly.